Date of Award

2024

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts

College

Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary

Program

Religion, MA

First Advisor

Roy E. Gane

Second Advisor

Oliver Glanz

Third Advisor

Cedric Vine

Abstract

The Problem

The imagery of “the one stone” laid before Joshua and the meaning of the related symbols and dynamics surrounding this object in Zech 3 remains an issue of scholarly debate. Although there are Hebrew Bible references and archaeological backgrounds to elucidate the object, they are found to be mutually conflicting or incomplete, suggesting the need for a methodological contribution to aid the investigation.

Methodology

The current study uses three independent methodological processes: (1) mining of data, (2) attribute-based theological evaluations of potential backgrounds, and (3) exegetical synthesis. These three processes can be viewed as independent or interdependent. As independent, they can be applied without regard to other processes. In this case, their results can be compared or merged. As interdependent, the processes are run in the sequence suggested by the current study, in which case the results of each method inform the synthesis performed at the following step. The current research utilizes both approaches—independent and interdependent—cumulatively by specifying which process generated which outcome before all outcomes are ultimately merged into a coherent picture. The first process—mining of data—includes conversion of the passage of interest to representative sets applied in the TextFabric searches within the ETCBC database. The second process— attribute-based theological evaluations of potential backgrounds—proposes formal criteria for identifying, filtering, merging, and interpreting applicable references. The third process—exegetical synthesis—allows the existing and new exegetical insights to be compared and combined with the integrative view generated in the second process. The final step is to synthesize the obtained results into a coherent message.

Results

The three processes described above yielded a “kaleidoscopic view”: a combination of four previously known backgrounds (1, 2, 5, 6) with two that are newly identified (3, 4). In order of priority, all of them are (1) the crushing stone in Dan 2, (2) the rejected stone in Ps 118, (3) the two tablets of the law in Exod 31, and (4) the ark of the covenant in 1 Chr 21–22, (5) the golden plate of the high priest in Exod 28–29; 39, and (6) the two onyx stones in Exod 28–29; 39. The additional independent exegetical analysis was related to that view and corroborated it. The final picture suggests the function of “the one stone” and the contents of the inscription written on it by God.

Conclusions

The inscription in Zech 3:9 emerged as a blend of the ten commandments, “the holiness to the Lord,” and the names of the twelve tribes of Israel. Thus, the meaning of “the stone” is theocentric—the divine eschatological plan for the returned exiles and “all the nations” and theanthropic—the revival of the covenantal relationship between YHWH and Israel as another opportunity for the nation to fulfill its universal mission.

Subject Area

Bible. Zechariah 3:9--Criticism, interpretation, etc.; Stone--Religious aspects--Christianity

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